Students celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through dance, community

Held annually from September 15 to October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month honors the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans and celebrates heritage rooted in Latin American countries. 

Grand Valley’s Office of Multicultural Affairs hosts an extended celebration with events through November 1. Students from Monarcas, a ballet folklorico dance group, shared what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them, and how they celebrate their heritage all year long.

Lucero Arizaga, a junior studying legal studies, had the idea to start the club during her first year at GVSU. “I was unsure if I could do it,” she said. “I asked some people around me and it seemed like others also wanted a folklorico group. I decided that I would do my best to make it happen.”

Arizaga overcame her initial hesitations and successfully started Monarcas to showcase and appreciate Mexican culture. The student organization now has 24 members. 

The most important aspect of the group isn’t the colorful outfits or high-energy dance performances. Rather, Monarcas members say it is the community and cultural celebration that takes place when they are together. 

“People attend because they enjoy being a part of Monarcas,” sophomore Giselle Torres said. “While we take things seriously, we’re often having fun and laughing during practices.”

Torres also participates in Laker Familia, where she had Arizaga as a mentor. Arizaga encouraged her to join the dance group. Torres said that Monarcas and Hispanic Heritage Month allow her to celebrate and learn more about her culture, something she doesn’t always have the space to do. 

“I don't speak Spanish, but I grew up around it,” Torres said. “I'm Mexican and Puerto Rican but not enough of either to feel like I fit into either side. During Hispanic Heritage Month, I feel like I'm a part of something, even though I can't speak Spanish or dance as well as everyone else.”

Arizaga echoed the sentiment. “My favorite part about the group is the community,” she said.

“I love that we can come together through our shared love for our culture and dance. The connections I have made through Monarcas make all of our hard work worth it.”

Grand Valley’s Office of Multicultural Affairs is hosting the following events to celebrate:

• October 4, 5-11 p.m., 2250 Kirkhof Center: Join the Office of Multicultural Affairs for a Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. The event will feature a variety of cultural expressions from food and music to art and a fashion show of custom attires that originate from different ethnicities in the Latino/Hispanic community. 
• November 1, (Event details to be announced): Día de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the Central and South regions, and by the people of Mexican ancestry living in other places. The multi-day holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember those who have passed away, and help support their spiritual journey.

Learn more on the Office of Multicultural Affairs’ Hispanic Heritage Month website.